Recent heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in several small-town tourist destinations in northern Minnesota and a village in New Mexico. In St. Louis County, Minnesota, residents were seen navigating flooded streets with kayaks and small boats due to the high water levels. The National Weather Service has issued warnings of possible additional rain in the coming days, especially in areas with already saturated ground and swollen rivers.
The storm in the village of Willard, New Mexico, brought 6 to 8 inches of rain and lime-sized hail, causing significant damage. This amount of rainfall was unusual for the region, with some parts of New Mexico not typically experiencing that much rain in an entire year. The storm in Willard occurred as fire crews in Ruidoso were still battling wildfires, highlighting the challenges posed by overlapping wildfire and monsoon seasons.
In northern Minnesota, the torrential rain led to dozens of washed-out roads, cutting off access to lakeside resorts and causing millions of dollars in damage. St. Louis County declared a disaster after estimating at least $50 million in damages and the closure of over 40 roads. While Duluth was better prepared this time due to improvements in flood defenses since 2012, smaller towns like Cook and Biwabik faced significant devastation.
Residents and business owners in the affected areas described the scenes as heartbreaking. The Comet Theater in Cook was submerged in three feet of water, while Glenwood Lodge near Lake Vermillion became inaccessible by road, forcing visitors to arrive by boat. The situation in Willard, New Mexico, was equally challenging, with residents experiencing a sudden shift from wildfires to catastrophic flooding.
The extreme weather conditions have underscored the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters. Emergency services have been working tirelessly to assist those affected and ensure the safety of residents and travelers in the impacted regions.
